Princess Karina Bagration-Moukhransky is a young vibrant woman with a passion to change the world for the better. She is a prolific author with two books and several scientific articles to her name. She is the founder of Princess Carina Organization which serves to promote social good across people of all races. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she has shuffled around the world touching lives through her involvement with several humanitarian and charitable causes.
Currently she holds major degrees of BA and MBA in Translation, Interpreting, World Literature, and Pedagogics. She also has a PhD in Folkloristics where she examined the problems inherent from the coexistence and combination of Celtic mythology and Christian beliefs, and history in works of Walter Scott and Robert Burns. HSH Princess Karina is a native speaker of Russian and Ukrainian and speaks French and English fluently.
Karina is a 21st century self-made princess who feels quite as comfortable wearing a tee shirt and denim pants in public transportation as well as being in an elegant formal dress on a luxurious private jet.
I met with her few days ago and we discussed about her causes and who she is behind the scenes.
Which is the city you are living in, Princess Karina?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: Generally speaking, the whole Planet Earth is my home as I am an accomplished cosmopolitan. My spirit is free as the wind (smiles). At present I am switching between Kiev and Geneva. I also frequently visit Germany for several projects I am supporting. For instance, my friend Monika von Pölnitz Egloffstein from Munich had an original idea to organize events for singles who reached high social position but still have no time to find a suitable match. Being her PR advisor helps me to get to know more about people’s mentality. I also hope to visit Georgia soon as I would be delighted to support several charitable initiatives of H.R.H. Princess Anna of Georgia. As a mother of 3 lovely kids and a teacher by profession, she does a marvelous job as a royal patron to the orphanage for the blind children.
What languages do you speak?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I am an extremely communicative person. I am a native Russian and Ukrainian speaker. I am also fluent in both English and French. I also understand several other European languages. But as a life-long learner I am currently mastering German and Italian. Might it sound unusual, but I also believe that silence and facial expressions, sometimes, are a lot more informative.
What are your favorite quotes?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY:
“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children” by Kahlil Gibran.
“It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles” by Niccolo Machiavelli. And finally,
“Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions–it only guarantees equality of opportunity.” By John Dryden
What are your interests and your hobbies?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I indeed have very little of free time. Whenever possible however, I love to read, to go for a walk in my favorite botanical garden or just spend time with my family. Still such moments are very rare. I also adore traveling, learning languages, discovering new cultures. I am not really a party girl. I love to take pictures. A few years ago I came back from my visit of Monaco and South of France with a vast collection of photos, which reflect my vision of the region. In nearest future, I plan to exhibit the best ones. Recently I began to work with a famous illustrator, Andrew Tarusov as a model for his ballroom watercolors. Most of his works are inspired with Pin Up epoch and Disney legacy. I should admit, it is so much fun!
I also love to surf the web. I am now working on my own startup called Beautyleax. It is a social network and a private club specifically for beauty, youth prolongation and health. Our international members share confidential information about beauty products and services, use the best Hollywood virtual stylist, participate in VIP events and get a free beauty makeover chance. At the moment, I am also launching a collection of beautifying drinks together with my Italian partner. I hope to tell more about it in my next interview. I like Totalprestige Club, Totalpretige is indeed a private and closed circle of world executives at senior level, celebrities, and HNWI. A very handy service could be found at www.startuplions.org. I highly recommend it to those who want to get quality IT and audiovisual products at a very reasonable price. The project also brings an important social change to African continent.
Describe what a day in your life would normally look like
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: An absolutely unexpected beginning and even less expected ending even though I meticulously plan my day. On one hand, I go to work every day by metro, go shopping, and mix with people of all walks of life. Apart from lecturing at Kiev State University, I work a lot for “Princess Carina Organization” and Beautyleax (an IT startup) as both organizations’ president and founder. On another day, I might find myself at a red carpet event or state dinner. I am living double life and I enjoy it a lot.
What makes you smile?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: A good joke, the positive change my charity is bringing, and just seeing people around me happy and successful.
What secret talent do you possess?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I never give up.
What are you never without?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: My faith in God and humanity
Which historical figure do you admire the most?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: Quite frankly, there are several: Jesus Christ, Leonardo da Vinci, Nicola Tesla, Ludwig II of Bavaria, Oscar Schindler and Chiune Sugihara, Princess Antonia of Luxembourg, the people I am working with every day at the most problematic zones of the world as they are creating modern history.
What scares you the most?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: Not to having an opportunity to support the people I admire. Perhaps, to be rejected while my intentions are sincere. Arrogance, pomp, segregation, intolerance and being narrowminded scares me a lot too.
Looking back, what can you say is your greatest achievement?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: Overpowering myself, my fears, and weaknesses. I never compare myself to others but to who I was a year ago.
Where can we spot you taking a vacation?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I love swimming or just walking along the beach so my vacations spots are all connected to water. This summer I might be visiting http://www.chateaudeclerac.com in France which has a fabulous swimming pool and other sport facilities. We are also negotiating with the castle owners on hosting a joint event featuring Bruce Smith (a famous photographer). Whenever I feel romantic, I visit my friends at Lichtenstein Castle which is in Germany. Owned by the Dukes of Urach, the castle and its courtyard is open to the general public via guided tour where they will sight gun emplacements on the walls. http://www.schloss-lichtenstein.de/en/
What are the life memories you recall most frequently and why?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I have many childhood memories, they are colorful like a patchwork. In general, I had happy childhood. I felt like a free flying soul. Amazingly enough, as a kid I spent almost every summer in Georgia, at a dear family friend’s place. I remember running bare footed through the long field, among wild flowers that seemed like trees, with local kids who did not speak Russian but nobody cared. I remember Livadia a lot, and the adorable sea. I kept warm memories of every Christmas as a child, the familiar smell of oranges and the pine tree.
Later on, as my parents believed a lot in international education for girls, they made me discover the world and tried to give me what they never had themselves. I cannot forget how my parents always wanted a new car but instead they invested their money into my educational program in California, USA. After the fall of the Iron Wall, I finally met the other part of my family resident in France. Thus I had the opportunity to travel a lot, learn more languages and culture, and rediscovered France, my second motherland. I feel a lot of tenderness to its heritage, traditions and I have always been in love, particularly, with the South of France.
What recommended tips would only share with friends?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I would say, sometimes the simplest things can reveal the essence of what crucially matters. I was born in the USSR, in the family of White Russian repatriates. My family and I lived through very difficult times. I know from my experience what hunger, physical disability, intolerance, and social injustice are. So I always recommend people not to give up, count on themselves, not to judge too fast, and to always give people a second chance. I would advise to listen, to try to understand and to forgive whenever it’s possible. Although forgiving might not always mean to forget. I would advise them to learn to accept love, help, and admiration while avoiding drama. Develop self-respect but not arrogance. Life is short, so live today as tomorrow may never come.
What is the nature of your work?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I hold several positions as most people do these days. After the completion my university degree, I began to work at National Taras Shevtchenko University of Ukraine. My career path continued with a position of an international private networker and consultant for high net worth individuals. I travel extensively in Europe and, in particular to my father’s homeland in France. I have made a name for myself in humanities and pedagogics. I had dreamt of learning more about Scotland ever since I read old Celtic legends in primary school. No wonder my PhD was a research done on the basis of “History-Fiction” used by Celtic authors and their interrelation with Ukrainian historical and cultural heritage.
I am the author of numerous scientific articles and participate actively in various scientific events and projects both in my native country and abroad. A former sportswoman, I am also the author of a book called “Olympic Games”. It aims to ingrain the universal Olympic values while teaching foreign languages and culture.
However, the presidency of “Princess Carina Organization” takes so much time, that it slowly but steadily becomes my major occupation. It was founded with the aim to empower people to turn good intentions into positive social change far beyond religious, philosophic, social and ethnic differences. It is an independent, nonprofit, neutral, apolitical, non-governmental organization which inspires to collaborate, exchange and help reciprocally. Basically I try to turn personal life experiences into a powerful tool to serve positive and sustainable social makeover through various humanitarian projects. I never pursue the accomplishment of projects I don’t “feel”.
Tell us more about Princess Carina Organization
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: “Princess Carina Organization” is the culmination of my charitable life so far and the platform for my future philanthropic activities. The Organization is represented by a strong board and experienced advisers who have both commercial and international non-governmental experience. Its headquarters is based in Geneva, Switzerland. We also benefit from the High Patronage of Geneva Canton. The website for the “Princess Carina Organization”, has been launched recently. To find out more about the Organization and all our projects I cordially invite the readers to visit http://www.princesscarina.org/ or our Facebook activity page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Princess-Carina-Organization/159909807372214.
Since I have a chance to address a vast audience via Totalprestige Magazine, I would like to ask for support for the school for the blind and visually impaired my friends at Diocese of Lodwar are working for. The School is in Turkana which is the poorest part of Kenya. The teachers and children at St. Lucy School gave me an opportunity to learn a lot, mostly on how to overcome social injustice and to become self-confident through education, which is a source of hope for them. Please, don’t hesitate to contact me via Totalprestige’s team, should you wish to be of help.
What honors/awards have you received?
PRINCESS KARINA BAGRATION-MOUKHRANSKY: I have been decorated several times. The two most recent are The Royal Order of the Crown of the Georgian Kingdom by H.R.H. Prince Nugzar Bagration Gruzinsky for the long term service to Bagration Dynasty. Later on, following the invitation of Mr. Pierre-Emmanuel Quirin, the CEO of Crans Montana International Forum on behalf of Mr. Jean-Paul Carteron (Honorary Chairman & Founder of Crans Montana International Forum) and HSH Prince von und zu Liechtenstein (the Honorary Chairman) I attended and actively participated in 18th Homeland & Global Security Forum held in Brussels (Belgium) on October 19 to 21, 2016. For many years now, the Homeland & Global Security Forum has been a privileged and unique platform gathering high level Government Officials, International Organizations, Parliaments, Specialized Administrations, Intelligence Agencies and Businesses from around the World.
In addition I received the New Leaders of Tomorrow Award from the hands of H.E. Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium. The New Leaders for Tomorrow is a unique community of young leaders from Africa, the Arab World, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South-America and Far East, who through their exceptional professional achievement, leadership experience and ability, promote peaceful dialogue worldwide. Together, they form a powerful Community to shape the global agenda and address the 21st Century major challenges.
Karina is one great and powerful woman if you ask us! We are proud to be affiliated with her and the causes she is passionate about. If you have the resources, please reach out to her and give some support one way or another. Like one of her favorite quotes said, it is not titles that honor men, it is men that honor titles. Karina is a woman that honors titles.
http://www.princesscarina.org/
Images courtesy by Princess Karina Bagration-Moukhransky
Journalist and author. Contributor
